Rash - possible discoid lupus

I have an ongoing rash that appears on the my hands, ankles, knee area, elbows, ears and lower back. These rashes appeared after I was on 2 courses of antibiotics and at the time the rash was all over my body. Over the years it is now  confined to the above areas.  I have already had the rash on my forehead biopsied and they found it was skin lupus.  The past year I have been suffering for alot of aches and pains plus fatigue.  My ANA read positive at xmas and I have been referred to a rheumatologist. He is running a load of blood tests but I havent got another appointment for 3 months.  The rash is usually red, raised, itchy and sore.  The last few months they have been getting blood blisters and broken blood vessels in the actual rash area.  Today they were just red till I took and shower and the blood blisters appeared.  I cannot get an answer as to what this rash is. Any idea's would be appreciated. <img src="http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i126/spookwoman/P3270088.jpg"

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I think what you have are probably vasculitic rashes associated with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Vasculitic rashes can be present without these two diseases as well. Vasculitic rashes can appear as tender raised areas or bumps on finger tips or toes, or could be present under nailbeds and  look like splinters, or look like ulcers on legs or around the ankle joints or can be present as tender redraised areas or bumps on the shins. Sometimes the rash can appear as blood blisters or as hives. Since you have discoid lupus, chances are great that you also have systemic lupus causing vasculitis. Take care!